Is The Fujifilm Better Than The Olympus, The Sony, The Nikon, The Canon or...Whatever...?

Pt. Loma Lighthouse, California (click to enlarge) 
This image was made in 2006 with now what would be an "ancient" digital camera and an inexpensive kit lens. The camera was a Nikon D200 which had a 10.2mp APS-C sensor and came to the market in 2005 for $1700!  This camera met my
needs then and the images still look awfully good to me today.
Nikon D200; 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 lens @ 31mm; 1/250th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200

You've seen the headlines on You Tube and on the Internet.  One of the so-called digital influencers publishes a piece about his or her comparison of two or more cameras with the "which is better" question.  I also see questions such as, "Is Company A's new camera mean the death of Company B?" or "Does Company X's new lens blow away everyone else's?"

My answer to those questions is "I don't care!"  I really don't.

I've stopped watching those videos and reading those postings in which someone compares two or more camera or lens brands, usually with a "click bait" headline.  The more clicks to their site, the more money they make.  The more potential controversy, the better for them.

To me, these types of comparisons are mostly meaningless.  Yes, there is information presented as to what are the items' specifications, what is new or different but the opinion part of their presentations really doesn't matter to me.

First, I'm not going to let someone, under mostly photographic circumstances that don't apply to me (or often little or no use of the item at all), tell or decide for me which camera or lens is better for me and better for my types of photography.  Or, which camera or lens is better, period.  Why would I do that?   I believe I can still think for myself.  I understand some people may need someone to tell them what to buy and which is better.  However, I think most of us like to be given the facts about the particular piece of kit so we can judge for ourselves but we don't need someone telling us what is best for us.

Also, I find these men and women seem to review products, not for the wide general photographic population, but for themselves and people just like them.  They will downgrade a camera because it doesn't have a particular feature they want regardless if most photographers really don't think that feature is necessary.  Right there they lost my interest.  Wouldn't you think that they would realize that reviewing for the widest possible audience would bring more traffic to their site?  You would think.  But they review a camera or lens, not for all of us, but for how they would use it.

For example, a camera may be criticized because the LCD doesn't have a hinge and cannot fully articulate and face forward.  Well, that's maybe something they want because they like selfies or make videos and want to see themselves but it is not something everyone thinks is necessary.  I would venture to say, especially among high end cameras costing thousands, that the people who buy them don't make self-videos with them and don't need that feature.  Yet, the camera is criticized.  Wouldn't be much more helpful just to highlight all of the features and let each individual viewer or reader decide if a particular feature, or lack thereof, is a positive or a negative instead of knocking a camera because it doesn't meet their personal idea of what a camera should be?  Another seemingly detriment to a camera's review status is having two card slots.  Two card slots only came into being a few years ago and was never an issue before that.  Yet, a camera is no good without them!  That, again, is a statement that serves the purpose of the very few.

Second, I'm perfectly capable to researching and deciding for myself which camera will suit me and which will not.  Do they think that I can't think for myself and come to a logical decision that serves me best?  I don't need someone else judging capabilities, features or quality for me.  Excuse me.  I'll do that.  No help needed.  Yes, again, some people can't decide and need help.  Too many choices degrades the experience and causes stress, but do you want someone else dictating to you where you spend all of that hard earned money it takes to buy a camera or great lens?

The "better" or "best" camera for me is one that meets my particular needs for my particular types of photography and fits my particular hands with knobs, dials and menus that make sense to me.  I don't care what they have to say about them.  It might be a small, lightweight camera with a smaller sensor or it might be a medium format, large and heavy instrument.  It might be a bare bones camera or I might need all of the features I can find in a single body.  In the end, it is about our individual needs.

The best lens for me is one that is the right size, weight, focal length, build quality and resolution that meets my needs, not someone else's judgement of what is good and not good.  It might be a kit lens or it might be a $2500 US prime.  Only you can decide what's best for you and your circumstances.  

And...don't be shamed because you can't afford a particular camera or lens.  That, again, is one of your decision points that the reviewer doesn't consider.

I plan on making up my own mind and I recommend you make up your own mind as well.  I think you will be happier, have much more confidence in your decision and, as a result, make better images.  Then, if one of these "influencers" says you're an idiot for buying the wrong camera or lens, then you can tell them they are the idiot for thinking they can dictate your needs.

My advice when you listen to these presentations is to listen carefully to a piece of gear's specs, features, what's new and what is supposedly improved, then do the research on those reputable sites that just present facts and no opinion.  After gathering all of the information, you make the decision for yourself, regardless of what others are telling you.  If the Fujifilm fits your needs best, buy Fujifilm.  If Canon fits your needs best, buy Canon.  If Olympus or Nikon or Sony fits best, buy it.  If, after your research a particular lens at f/4 best fits your needs, don't be talked into spending a lot more money on the f/2.8 model.  After all is said and done I think you will then be pleased with your purchase.

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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